Melbourne Art Fair
Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation established to promote contemporary
art and the ethical representation of living artists. The principal role
of Melbourne Art Fair Foundation is to organise and stage the biennial
Melbourne Art Fair and the Melbourne Art Fair Foundation Awards for the
Visual Arts.
In addition to Melbourne Art Fair, the Foundation undertakes programming
which directly benefits the work of living artists and assists in developing
audiences for contemporary art. These include:
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Project Rooms featuring independent and emerging artists in association with art spaces and institutions; |
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Major commissions for contemporary artists; and, |
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Free public Forums and Lectures featuring artists, curators and International guests. |
The Melbourne Art Fair Foundaton Fund is a tax-deductible fund listed on the Register Of Cultural Organisations.
Melbourne Art Fair is the leading art fair and public exposition in the Asia Pacific region and one of Australia’s most significant exhibitions of contemporary visual art.
Established in 1988, the Melbourne Art Fair is held biennially at the historic Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne.
The 2006 Melbourne Art Fair achieved record attendance of 26,000 over 4.5 days, featuring 86 invited galleries from all states and territories of Australia, and from Auckland, Wellington, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Osaka, Seoul, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Amsterdam, Rome, Berlin, Frankfurt and Cologne.
The Melbourne Art Fair program features the celebrated opening night Vernissage, national and international Collector Programs, Curator Programs, Public Lecture, Forums Program, Arts Publications, Private Lounge and Guided Tours.
The Melbourne Art Fair Foundation (Melbourne Art Fair) is supported by the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy, an initiative of the Australian, State and Territory Governments.
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Melbourne Art Fair 2008
Key dates
30 July – 3 August
Vernissage preview
30 July 2008
Public days
31 July – 3 August 2008
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Melbourne Art Fair 2008 is an invitation only art fair.
Melbourne Art Fair Foundation invites selected national and international galleries to participate. Decisions concerning the admission or rejection of an Exhibitor are based on previous Fair presentations and project documentation submitted.
Only galleries who represent living artists and hold regular public exhibitions on their own business premises are admitted as Exhibitors. Some deviation from these admission conditions may be allowed in exceptional circumstances, but only at the discretion of the Melbourne Art Fair Foundation Board.
The Foundation admits exhibits of contemporary art post 1970 including paintings, sculpture, photographs, installations, film and sound recordings, provided these are original works.
It is a condition of all Exhibitors that 80% of all artwork on display is to be created by living artists. Participation in the Fair on one or more previous occasions does not grant entitlement to participation in subsequent Fairs.
Participation in Melbourne Art Fair 2008 is subject to written invitation by the Melbourne Art Fair Foundation.
Registration for Melbourne Art Fair 2008 has now closed. Future expressions of interest may be forwarded to:
Melbourne Art Fair Foundation
PO Box 2528
Fitzroy Victoria 3065 Australia
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The Melbourne Art Fair program includes Project Rooms sponsored by the Melbourne Art Fair Foundation, exhibiting emerging and independent artists.
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In 2006 Melbourne Art Fair Foundation commissioned New Zealand artist Michael Parekowhai to create Cosmo, an 8 x 5 metre monumental inflatable rabbit sculpture. Positioned under the dome of the Royal Exhibition Building during the Fair, the Foundation is proud to advise that the work has subsequently been gifted to the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne.
The objective of the Artist Commission is to provide a significant opportunity to a living artist to realise a large-scale work for Melbourne Art Fair. The Foundation plans to provide a similar opportunity to artists for Melbourne Art Fair 2008.
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The Melbourne Art Fair Foundation Awards for the Visual Arts were established to celebrate innovation and excellence in the Australian visual arts sector.
Two awards will be given by the Foundation every two years. The first recognises the outstanding achievement made by an Australian Artist. This individual/collective will have created a significant body of work and one that has had a significant impact on Australian contemporary art practice. The second Award recognises the outstanding contribution made by an Australian who has developed and demonstrated an unwavering commitment to progress the status of contemporary Australian art nationally and beyond.
The Melbourne Art Fair Foundation Awards for the Visual Arts 2007 were held 18 October at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney.
The 2007 Award recipients were Artist Peter Booth and Visionary Gordon Darling AC CMG and Marilyn Darling.
The inaugural 2005 Award recipients were Artist James Gleeson AO and Visionary James Mollison AO.
For further information contact mail@melbourneartfair.com
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Join the Melbourne Art Fair Foundation mailing list for updates on Melbourne Art Fair 2008.
Volunteering at Melbourne Art Fair 2008
To volunteer for Melbourne Art Fair 2008, please complete the mailing list form and select to receive updates on how to become a volunteer.
